- The Kenya Meteorological Department has named 18 counties set to receive rainfall in the next 24 hours
- Thunderstorms are expected across the Lake Victoria basin and parts of the Rift Valley on Saturday afternoon
- Strong winds above 25 knots have been flagged for Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit counties
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has placed 18 counties on notice for rainfall over the 24-hour period running from 9pm on Friday, October 23, to 9pm on Saturday, October 24, with thunderstorms likely across western Kenya, the Lake Victoria basin and sections of the Rift Valley.
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The forecast, issued at 3pm on Friday, lists Bungoma, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Nandi, Bomet, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Busia, Nakuru, Meru, Narok and West Pokot as the affected counties.
The bulk of the rainfall is expected in the afternoon hours. Kakamega and Bungoma face the widest coverage, with light showers and thunderstorms forecast over several places in each county, meaning between 33% and 66% of their respective areas.
Counties such as West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Vihiga, Busia, Kisumu and Nyamira are expected to receive light showers over fewer areas.
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Siaya and Kisii are in line for moderate showers, defined by KMD as between 5 and 20 millimetres in 24 hours, also accompanied by afternoon thunderstorms. Migori and Meru are likely to see only light showers.
Beyond the 18 listed counties, the agency also flagged a chance of rain in Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi, Isiolo, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Baringo, Kajiado and Homa Bay, where thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon. Mombasa is expected to receive light showers on Saturday morning.
Overnight rain on Friday is limited to a handful of counties. Light showers are expected over few places in Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Siaya and Homa Bay, while Nairobi and Nyeri each have a chance of overnight drizzle. Nairobi's Saturday daytime will otherwise be sunny, with temperatures ranging between 17°C and 30°C.
The department has separately warned of strong southerly to south-easterly winds exceeding 25 knots over parts of Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit.
Northern Kenya will record the highest temperatures. Turkana is forecast to hit 39°C, Garissa 37°C, and both Wajir and Mandera 36°C. The Coast will remain warm and dry, with Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu reaching 31°C and Tana River 34°C.
The coldest conditions are expected in the highlands. Nyandarua is set to record a maximum of 23°C and a minimum of 11°C.
Laikipia and Kericho may drop to 12°C overnight, while Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo/Marakwet will fall to 13°C.
In the 24 hours leading up to 9am on Friday, Butere recorded the highest rainfall at approximately 12.7 millimetres, followed by Kericho at 9.2 millimetres.
Kakamega and Eastleigh each recorded just under 1.5 millimetres, while Kisii, Nyahururu and Nanyuki registered smaller amounts. Eldoret Airport recorded only a trace.
Source: TUKO.co.ke